Anna McCloskey

Where are you currently working?

I work for IES Abroad in our Chicago office.

What are your main job responsibilities?

As the Digital Marketing Coordinator, I coordinate our social media usage (primarily Facebook, twitter, and Instagram), all prospective student email communication, program listings on sites like GoAbroad.com, GoOverseas.com, and DiversityAbroad.com, and assist with special projects like the Study Abroad Film Festival. In general, my responsibilities are to apply myself where I'm most needed in the Marketing Department.

How did your experience in the International Education Management (IEM) program at MIIS prepare you for what you're doing now?

My experiences at MIIS prepared me for working in the study abroad field in an innumerable amount of ways—far more than I even recognize. I'd say the top three things are: (1) An overarching knowledge of the study abroad field. I work day-to-day with professionals who studied and have worked in Marketing or some aspect of Marketing. So having this general understanding of our field is really crucial. (2) Project management and organization, and (3) Professional experience. The required informational interviews, projects for local businesses, and internships gave me a leg up when it came to experience.

What advice would you give to current students on how to prepare themselves for a future career in this field?

Network! Yes, of course, for the sake of having connections and opening more professional doors. But more importantly, for your own knowledge of the field and of your passions. Talk to people whose jobs interest you, and ask them about their path, about what excites them, and where they think there is opportunity and growth in the field.